Realms of Dread [IC] Chapter Three

[kintire]

Shana grins, half happy at meeting a fan, half amused at the ambiguous question.

"You'd like to see one of my illusion shows? Well, I'll have to check with the Landlord, but i don't see why not. Its a good crowd tonight!"

[steveflam]

Balzar pats his dwarvish waraxe, almost as if it is an extension of his arm.
"Don't worry bout my axe, tis' dwarvish made and kin cut a hair in half. I actually made it meself before it got it's nice blue hue to it."

Balzar then unsheathes it to show the two men his axe. It is very nice looking, with quite a few notches on it. He winks and puts it back, then pats his shield. "And I kin squish a few of them Zombies with this trusty shield or just bowl em over. So Cap'n, if we find any smugglers we are to bring them in and respect the law about them?"

[VAN]

Inovidil smiles back to Henryk. He was right and the last thing she wanted was to make the guards suspect her more than they do. So despite she is very curious to know what will happen tomorrow she says nothing to Henryk, only nods to him and then tries to relax and sleep.

[ewancummins]

Militia HQ

He looks toward Jamethon. "Are you coming, too?"

Jamethon asnwers Blaise,

''I had planned to come along with you, yes. Although, if you don't need me, I could keep looking for Alain. He's missing. ''

'' So Cap'n, if we find any smugglers we are to bring them in and respect the law about them?"[/color]

Rask answers very quickly,

''Yes, of course. In fact, you will have to be sworn in a a temporary deputy. That way, there's no hint of impropriety about this.''

[steveflam]

Balzar merely nods. "Awright then, I've no problem with that."

[ewancummins]

The Old Shell

Shana grins, half happy at meeting a fan, half amused at the ambiguous question.

"You'd like to see one of my illusion shows? Well, I'll have to check with the Landlord, but i don't see why not. Its a good crowd tonight!"

''Illusion show...uhhh... yeah! I like magic tricks. That'd be very nice.''

[ewancummins]

Balzar merely nods. "Awright then, I've no problem with that."

The ceremony is simple and quickly over with. Balzar is given a spare badge [to be returned later, of course].


Watch -Captain Rask announces-

''Well, as getting a priest will delay things too long, we shall start immediately. I have got twenty men, including lantern bearers. We'll go by canal boat down the main westside canal, then foot for the last several blocks. The plan is as I had stated- surround the building in the darkness, then I give the whistle blast and it's lanterns bright and through the doors. Additional changes to the plan can be made as needed. Any questions, gentlemen?''

[ewancummins]

Inovidil smiles back to Henryk. He was right and the last thing she wanted was to make the guards suspect her more than they do. So despite she is very curious to know what will happen tomorrow she says nothing to Henryk, only nods to him and then tries to relax and sleep.

Ino has little trouble sleeping now.

[kintire]

Shana's broadening smile is surely pleasure at his enthusiasm, and any hint of laughter is carefully buried. After a brief word to the landlord she moves to the cener of the room, and the strains of a popular patriotic song begins to echo through the room (Cornyr, Cormyr over all? )

Shana begins to dance to it, and as he does so the room dims a bit, and Cormyrean flags drape themsevs over the inn walls. From the shadows onto the tables step foot high figures from Cormyr's glorious past: local heroes, wise kings, Cormyrean soldiers defeating her enemies, concluding with a dramatic image of Cormyr itself: The people, supporting and being guided by the crown. (utterly absent is any mention of the intervening nobility, but wh's going to notice that?)

If that performance is well received, she'll go on to a Dales folksong about grain, in reference to the shipment everyone is so happy about. Cormyrean history will fade, replaced by waving grain, ale and signs of prosperity. Shana herself will shimmer and her costume will change to a [short] skirt and [backless, midriff baring] top made of living barley, and she will dance to a lively folk tune.

[She's on form too: Perform 23]

[Lord Skybolt]

Threan sits back in what shadows(1) their around his table to be unobserved by Shana as she puts on her show so as to not spook her . He is clearly enjoying the show he drinks his second whiskey of the night .






1. New Hide check for this Ewan PM coming your way . He will give up hiding to order food/drink though if needed .

[ewancummins]

the Old Shell-


The crowd sits in rapt attention as Shana does her first act. Several audience members are actually moved to tears by the patriotic sentiment. When it is over, she gets a standing ovation!

The grain song and Dalelander folk-dance is also a crowd pleaser, and once the crowd has figured out the chorus, many join in singing it. Men and women tap their feet in time to the music, clapping their hands and laughing.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Jamethon asnwers Blaise,

''I had planned to come along with you, yes. Although, if you don't need me, I could keep looking for Alain. He's missing. ''

"Really?" says Blaise with concern. "Well... I'd still like a familiar face with me when we go to the warehouse. Hopefully, this won't take long and then you and I can go looking for Alain together."

He turns to Rask and says, "No, no further questions. I'm ready. Let's go before the effects of that delicious coffee wear off."

[ewancummins]

the raid - Blaise, Balzar, Jamethon, Captain Rask, etc

Two canal boats are procured and rapidly loaded with men and supplies. In less than half an hour, you're on the water.

The night is pleasantly cool, though quite foggy. The moon is just a sliver of light, almost lost in the clouds. The only sounds are the breathing of the men, the clinking of gear, and the thunk and splash of the poles striking to propel the vessel. A lantern hung at the prow of the boat shines out on empty streets, forlorn archways, and silent houses with dark windows. This part of town is asleep- or nearly so. Now and again, one of you sees a flash of torchlight from an alleyway, or spots a lonesome pedestrian moving down one of the narrow cobblestone streets.

Arriving near the storehouse, the search party disembarks at a wooden platform. The last leg of the trip must be made on foot, for the watercourse does not connect with your destination. Lantern shutters are now closed at Rask's orders, so that no light will warn those who may be lurking in the warehouse. Tramping down the foggy streets at the double-quick gets your party of two-dozen men [Rask brought along archers, spearmen, and lantern-boys] within a block of the place in just a few minutes. Now, the captain raises a hand for silence. He signals the party to proceed at a more measured pace, until he orders a halt near the warehouse. Moving quietly, the large party breaks up into smaller groups and surrounds the building, getting into position to close off all visible exits.

Standing in an alley-mouth from which he may observe the front of the building, Watch-Captain Rask takes the signal whistle and places it against his lips. He inhales deeply, then lets loose a shrill blast!

The whistle's shriek is answered by the sounds of boots and axes smashing through locked doors. Lanterns that had been shuttered now flash open, shining upon the closed doors and boarded windows. Men pile into the warehouse, ready to seize smugglers and contraband alike. They find...


...empty rooms. There is some furniture, and open crates and barrels, but not much else. There are no ledgers, no caches of contraband, no smugglers, and not much evidence of recent use but for muddled footprints in the dust and a half -eaten fish sandwich left on one of the desk-tops.

[steveflam]

Balzar takes one good look at the place and swears to himself. Whomever the smugglers are, obviously know they've been found out and have moved shop elsewhere.

"Bah! They knew you were on to them and got up and left. That sandwich doesn't look too bad though, come to think of it...."

He walks over the the desk and searches it. Even as he searches, his eye keeps coming back to that sandwich. Picking it up, he brings it to his nose and sniffs it. If it smells edible, that's all the information he needs about the said sandwich and in one fell swoop, stuffs it in his mouth and chewing as fast as is possible, then swallows it. He pulls a flask from his hip and unstoppers it, taking a swig, then closing it and putting it back.

The dwarf does burp politely however and excuses himself.

[ewancummins]

the warehouse

Jamethon chuckles in spite of himself.

''Well, I don't suppose we had any way of tracking these smugglers by the remains of a meal. A fish sandwich- it could have come from a hundred places in this city. ''